Deadline to enter Mandarin speech contest approaching

The China Post news staff--Those interested in attending the 2012 Mandarin Speech Contest for Foreign Nationals, jointly organized by Radio Taiwan International (RTI) and Hanguang Education Foundation, are advised to register before the deadline of 5:00 p.m., May 11, according to a press release issued recently by the RTI.

The theme of this year's contest will be "Chinese Wit & Humor" (華言俏語). Participants are required to share their interesting encounters in Taiwan, as well as their interests in Chinese language and culture, and whoever can "get people rolling in the aisles" will be the final winners, RTI said.

Those foreign nationals who hold a valid visa or ARC, regardless of their age, and whose native languages are not Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese or Hakka are welcome to register to join the competition.

A total of 25 participants will be selected in the preliminary round of the contest, which is slated for May 19 at Soochow University Downtown Campus Center. And the final contest will be held June 2 at the Core Pacific City Living Mall Gravity Stadium.